The New South Wales Government should be focusing on renewables instead of trying to re-boot the coal seam gas (CSG) industry, the State Opposition says.

The Government is proceeding with its plan to make new CSG exploration licences available mid-year, after announcing in late 2014 it would "pause and reset" the way the industry was licensed and regulated.

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NSW Government to make new CSG licences available mid-year

In 2014 the NSW Government said it would pause the industry until it was licensed and regulated

Energy Minister Anthony Roberts said companies would be invited to apply for licences under strict new rules and exploration would only be allowed in strategic areas of the state that were deemed appropriate to extract gas.

"This will ensure there is an examination of economic, environmental and social factors, with community consultation conducted upfront, before a proposed exploration area is released for expressions of interest," Mr Roberts said.

"Both communities and industry will benefit from greater transparency, information and consultation at the very first step of any exploration process."

But Labor's energy spokesman, Adam Searle, said the Government should not proceed with new CSG licences until all of the chief scientist's recommendations about the industry were implemented.

"No new exploration or extraction licences should be considered by the Government unless the CSG industry has been proven to be safe," Mr Searle said.

"The Government's priority now should be growing renewable energy sources as an overall part of our energy mix as a matter of priority.

"The 20 per cent by 2020 target is falling well short. It's only at about 11 per cent now and it's actually slipped in the last year or so.

"So that should actually be the Government's priority for action, not trying to reboot the CSG industry before it is ready to proceed."

The peak body representing Australia's oil and gas industry, the Australian Petroleum and Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), said NSW needed new gas sources because it was too reliant on interstate gas projects.

"To ensure reliable supply, to put downward pressure on gas prices, the best strategy for NSW is to develop its own local resources," APPEA CEO Malcolm Roberts said.

"We've got very tight conditions on the east coast gas markets and relying on interstate projects for supply in NSW is an unnecessary risk for NSW.

"It's particularly a risk for industrial users, such as the plastics and chemicals industry, which need gas as a feedstock, gas is indispensible to their businesses."

But Mr Roberts also said a series of changes in NSW policy in recent years could deter potential licence holders.

"Given recent history investors will naturally be wary of investing in NSW," he said.

You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Paris Agreement and know that it pertains to climate change, but are too embarrassed at this stage to ask for an overall explanation of what it's all about.